Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 38:2)

A nearby Christian church building had the following statement on their sign: “God is in control. Let Him have his way.” Does anyone see the inconsistency in such a statement? Many cars pass the sign each day, and I assume that some drivers must read it. It must be true that only in things relating to God can man be so gullible. The reason is because of man’s spiritual blindness.

The Lord’s question to Job at the heading of this article surely applies to whoever posted that statement. The words are devoid of knowledge. The knowledge of Scripture that reveals the truth concerning the Sovereign Lord God. “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?” (Isaiah 14:27). “The purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11).

The first definition for the word “let” is to “permit.” Does man “permit” God? Does God ask man’s permission or does God do as Nebuchadnezzar said? “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35).

God asks this question in Isaiah 45:13, “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?” In this text, the question is: “I will work, and who shall let [“impede it,” or “not permit”] it?” The answer is understood that none are able to impede or hinder God from working His will.

It is because He is in control and He does have his way that those who trust in His Son have peace in their hearts and confidence to live in this world without fear. Not only do we know that He is in control, but we say with those who said, concerning Him after working a miracle in the days of His flesh, “He hath done all things well.” (Mark 7:37).

-- David Pledger, pastor, Lincolnwood Baptist Church, Houston, TX

Contemporary ‘Worship’

‘Contemporary’ means modern, up to date, according to present styles and fashion. Therefore, so-called ‘contemporary worship’ is WORLDLY. It is an attempt to make religion suitable to modern man, no matter how perverse he has become. All of the so-called ‘gospel’ music today is the worst form of this ‘contemporary’ stuff they call worship and is the product of the false gospel being preached today. Quite simply, the reason for all of this is, “there is no fear of God before their eyes”; the way people profess to worship God today, is irreverent, blasphemous, and worldly. It is very evident what it is all about. If it looks and sounds like a rock concert, that’s what it is! If it looks and sounds like a bluegrass concert, that’s what it is! If it looks and sounds like a Hollywood production, that’s what it is! If it looks and sounds like it’s about money, that’s because it is!

God is to be worshipped with fear, sobriety, reverence and in a Biblical manner. We should conduct our services and ourselves in such a way, that if the prophets or apostles walked in, they would say: “Now that is how God is to be worshiped.” Paul gave instructions to us, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth” (1 Tim.3:15). Our songs and all we do should reflect the serious nature of what we do. We are in the presence of the Holy God! This is not a concert or a fun time but a time of worship. Joy and gladness yes, but as scripture says: “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11)

Prayer

“It is not much praying that is condemned . . . but much speaking; the danger of this error is when we only say our prayers, not when we pray them. Better a heart without words at all, than words without heart.” -- Matthew Henry (1662-1714)